Bottom line: these are not miracle creams and work modestly at best. "Some are just really good moisturizers and help to plump the top layer of skin, which can in and of itself make the skin temporarily look smoother and tighter,” Marchbein says.
Most dermatologists agree that any kind of moisturizer will suffice. Since the neck area lacks sebaceous glands, even the rich body moisturizers work fine and won't break out your neck. That said, neck-specific creams or face creams that will stimulate elastin and collagen are “better,” says Dr. Engelman.
In the case of neck creams, results are basically non-existent and a waste of your hard-earned money. Dr. Frieling agrees, saying, “I don't believe there is anything special or different about a 'neck cream. ' These creams all appear thick, which has a tendency to clog the pores.”
Massage your skin Regularly
Always massage upwards to keep the skin tight. When you massage your neck do it in an upward motion to keep the circulation going. The more blood flow you have going to your neck the better it will be on your skin.
Engelman agrees: "Retinol is the most potent ingredient that helps build collagen and elastin, which leads to tighter, smoother skin."This mixture has the added bonus of hyaluronic acid, which "can smooth, firm, and tighten the appearance of the skin," Dr. Bowe says.
Laser resurfacing This is the most effective procedure for tightening loose skin.
StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream
The top-selling moisturizer contains a patented technology called NIA-114, as well as its "Gravitite-CF Lifting Complex," and both help fade the appearance of deep wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin over time.
Retinol (vitamin A) is the most frequently used ingredient in anti-aging creams. But tretinoin, another form of vitamin A, may be the most effective ingredient to firm the skin on your neck and face.
“Cumulative sun exposure over a lifetime has always been the main culprit of premature aging on the neck.” On top of that, our cell phone addictions aren't helping the cause. “Between sun exposure and the addition of looking at our phones repeatedly, we are seeing neck changes even earlier,” says Engelman.
Unfortunately, no at-home fix will reverse the look of crepey skin, but methods used by dermatologists can often vastly improve the look of your skin.
While jowls are harmless, some people may feel uncomfortable about how they look. Many medical options exist to treat them, including neck lifts, injectable fillers, and radiotherapy. Less invasive alternatives are becoming more popular, as well. These include acupuncture, facial massage, and facial yoga.
Apply topical retinoids
Retinoids, which are topical vitamin A-based derivatives, may help reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen production. If you use retinoids on your face, extend the treatment area to your neck and chest at night. Retinoid products are available by prescription or over the counter.
Who should skip retinol? “Retinols can be a beneficial addition for most skin types, but it isn't a one-size-fits-all approach,” Panzica says. Board certified dermatologist Zenovia Gabriel, MD, notes that “people with sensitive skin conditions like rosacea cannot tolerate really strong topicals like retinols.”
First, the answer is yes, retinol can make wrinkles worse, especially when you first start using it. What is happening is a drying effect, and one can get epidermal sliding from separation from the dermis.
In recent studies, CoolSculpting is proven for tightening skin after a cooling treatment. In one such study, the “Study to Evaluate Non-Invasive Subcutaneous Fat Reduction in the Submental Area Using Cryolipolysis,” CoolSculpting patients receiving treatments in the chin and neck area.
Neck lines and wrinkles are a normal part of aging. They're caused in part by skin losing elasticity and being exposed to UV light over time. You may also notice premature wrinkles as a result of repeatedly looking down at the phone, smoking, or not using sunscreen.
Then perform the full neck massage: lift the chin upwards slightly and, with cupped hands, stroke firmly down the neck five times alternately. Finish with some under-chin slaps: with the back of the first two fingers gently slap under the chin 20 times. Perform this entire routine twice weekly.
Since some people can begin showing early signs of aging in their necks during the mid-30s, Dr. Imahiyerobo-Ip suggests using neck creams in the early 30s as a form of pre-juvenation. "By starting neck creams early, you can prevent some of the signs of aging that would show up in the late 30s and early 40s," she says.
"Neck creams are often thicker than facial creams and have ingredients in them to help lift and tighten the neck skin that loses collagen and elastin over time," says board-certified dermatologist Lily Talakoub.